Eva's Adventures As : Bride of The Dragon

Chapter 03 : The Warlock's Arrival

The Realm of Icrazia had gathered at the gates to greet a rare visitor who was scheduled to arrive in their kingdom. Princess Eva, together with her handmaiden Yuriko, waited eagerly with the lords and women of the castle, led by the King and the Queen.

"We've been waiting like this for about twenty minutes. Are you sure this visitor is coming?" asked Yuriko discreetly while leaning towards Eva's ear.

"Mother looks optimistic about this guest's visit. She is never typically," commented Princess Eva.

"That is because I taught him personally," stated Queen Kayna, having heard it all given her wizardry nature.

"What?" questioned King Hendrik.

"Nothing to worry about, my king. Some people don't seem to recognize their station," stated Queen Kayna, gazing at Yuriko disgustedly as she continued to hide behind Princess Eva in dread.

Suddenly, their attention was distracted as the trumpet sounded to mark the guest's arrival. All of the lords and women excitedly anticipated as a strange carriage entered through the Kingdom gates, ridden by hounds instead of horses.

"Are they... hounds?" inquired Princess Eva.

"Not just any dogs, Eva. These monsters wander the bush only on full moons. I've slayed dozens over my lifetime, but I have never seen someone tame them," said King Hendrik.

"As I indicated before, my king, this individual, he's extraordinary. You'll see for yourself," remarked Queen Kayna.

The rider of the carriage quickly got down after donning his hat and brought a large mat with him which he put down on the entrance to the vehicle's backseat. Just after the doors of the carriage opened, everyone was ready to greet this guy. However, the guards who were driven out by townspeople returned back into the Kingdom with hurry, galloping their horses towards his mat.

"My king... my king? Whoa, what is going on here?" questioned the soldier, glancing around.

"My arrival, you pig-headed freaks," muttered a mystery crafty voice from inside the carriage as a figure walked out of it.

The black clouds inside the carriage rushed out, providing the Warlock with a spectacular entrance as he presented himself to the realm, bearing his staff much more similar to Queen Kayna's but with Red enchantment.

The Warlock's armor was pretty similar to a tough Viking's armor. He looked to conceal himself tied onto his neck piece while his armor had steel impregnated over unknown items etched into it. He wore a cape created from the hide of the Alpha Hound.

His features both fear and delight the audience at the same time as he cloaked himself, exposing his face to be frightful, just like his armor was, with a massive scar all the way from his forehead until his jaw.

"Oh my," exclaimed Princess Eva, terrified by his look as her parents gazed at his appearance to be extremely extraordinary.

"Does he normally dress like this?" inquired King Hendrik.

"No, my king, sorry, he just came from his job. He was really destroying the kingdom of Argolis for the Scarlet Order. Therefore, the delay, but I had him brought here for our daughter's special day," stated Queen Kayna.

The guards got down from their horses and rushed to approach the monarch, bowing down to him.

"Rise and explain yourself," commanded King Hendrik.

Before the guards could open their jaws, the Warlock threw down a spell that converted them into dust within seconds. Seeing this, the monarch raged and looked upon the Warlock for having cursed his own warriors without his consent.

"You made us wait for you, now you strike down my own warriors as I stand beside?" exclaimed King Hendrik.

"Your Majesty, please accept my sincerest apologies for my actions. I did not mean to offend you in any way," the warlock stated as he bowed before King Hendrik.

The King, still visibly upset, responded, "Yet you did, and I will not take it lightly."

Queen Kayna, who had been observing the exchange, stepped forward and suggested, "My King, may I ask why the warlock acted this way? Perhaps he had a valid reason."

The warlock spoke up, "Yes, Your Majesty, I do have a reason. Before coming here, I had to study your kingdom's regulations to fit myself to it, and to do so, I needed to see it for myself. I used my spells to get a glimpse of what was occurring inside your kingdom."

King Hendrik was taken aback and asked, "You spied on my kingdom?"

The warlock clarified, "I did not spy, Your Majesty. I only needed to observe to better understand your kingdom's ways."

King Hendrik relented and allowed the warlock to continue. The warlock explained, "The guards who were wiped from existence were dispatched on behalf of the Queen's commands to quiet the peasants partying at the Inn. Instead of achieving this, they were humiliated and sent back fleeing by the townsfolk."

King Hendrik was surprised and asked, "Are you sure about this?"

The warlock replied, "Positive, Your Majesty. If you have questions, you may inquire with the Lowtown."

The King pondered for a moment before asking, "Even if this is true, why punish the guards instead of the pigs who rest in that Inn? Shouldn't they be punished first?"

Princess Eva, who had been listening, stepped forward to defend the townsfolk celebrating at the Inn. "You speak wisely, my father, but the guards' humiliation was due to their own actions. Had they been more fearsome, this issue might not have happened. And they interrupted your daughter's special occasion for their own needs, which is unforgivable since the needs of you and your family come first, is it not?"

King Hendrik considered her words before asking the warlock, "What is your name, Warlock?"

"I am Vorkalth Shadowend, Your Majesty," the warlock replied.

"Very well, Vorkalth. If you deal with the peasants in the same manner as you did with the guards, you will be forgiven and welcomed into my realm," the King stated.

Princess Eva protested, "No! Please do not punish them. I implore you."

King Hendrik reminded her, "You are my daughter, Eva. Do not degrade yourself on behalf of pigs!"

But Princess Eva stood firm. "I beg of you, please do not hurt them. They were celebrating my birthday and honoring us."

Queen Kayna was skeptical. "And how would you know this? You have never set foot beyond the walls."

Princess Eva turned to Yuriko and pleaded, "Yuriko, talk, tell them."

But Yuriko was afraid and replied softly, "I'm sorry, I can't."

King Hendrik scolded his daughter, "And you trust a word of a peasant only by listening to them? You are considerably weaker than I thought you were!"

Princess Eva stood before her parents, her head bowed in apology. "I was wrong," she said softly, "and I am sorry." But her words fell on deaf ears as Queen Kayna interrupted her. "Stop apologizing, Eva," she said sternly, "step back and let the others do their task."

But Princess Eva refused to back down. "No," she said firmly, "you mustn't hurt anybody in there, not while I breathe." King Hendrik turned to his daughter in disbelief. "You speak against your own father and king to support a bunch of peasants you've never heard of?" he said.

But Princess Eva stood her ground. "It is my birthday," she said, "and I would like to retain them, as slaves. Their order until the end of their lives would be to serve me. If they do not, I will deal with it myself, as the daughter of the great King Hendrik."

Silence fell over the room as everyone digested Princess Eva's words. Finally, King Hendrik spoke up. "What have you done, girl?" he said softly. But then he looked at his daughter with a hint of pride. "s*****y is a far more severe punishment than death," he said, "let them continue serving as slaves until the day they face my anger."

Princess Eva's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, thank you very much, papa," she exclaimed. King Hendrik turned to his daughter with a stern expression. "You've accepted responsibility for the first time," he said, "I am humbled. Now hearken faithful to your words."

Princess Eva nodded solemnly. "I will, father," she said. But Queen Kayna couldn't help but voice her concern. "My king, pardon me, but is it wise to send our daughter to e*****e a group of people who have already demonstrated their harshness against the guards?" she asked.

Princess Eva was quick to reassure her mother. "I can manage it, I promise," she said.

"Princess Eva won't be travelling alone, Vorkalth. You will accompany her safely and make sure she carries out her mission. If a single scratch is placed upon her, I will have your head," said King Hendrik sternly.

"Of course, your majesty. I will protect her now and forever," answered Vorkalth with a smile.

"Very well then, I will take my leave. Scram, all of you," shouted King Hendrik as he rushed inside the Kingdom with Queen Kayna following him.

Vorkalth then prepared his carriage to travel back as Princess Eva let out a sigh of relief for having rescued everyone inside the Inn.

"I can't believe that worked. Phew, that was close," exclaimed Princess Eva.

"It was. Thank you, Eva. You've saved many lives. I guess the destiny that awaits them is better than death," stated Yuriko.

"It is, I hope," replied Princess Eva.

"I am genuinely sorry for not supporting you. I couldn't utter anything at all," apologized Yuriko.

"It is okay, Yuri. I understand why you didn't," replied Princess Eva as Vorkalth returned after having prepared.

"Are you ready, your majesty?" inquired Vorkalth, offering his hand to follow her.

"Uh... sure, I guess. Thank you," murmured Princess Eva, feeling a bit uncomfortable as she offered her hand and stepped inside the carriage with Vorkalth.